Firehouse Subs ~ national chain : Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Mar 2021 (Colorado Springs - N. Academy)

First visit: Sep 2008 (North Richland Hills, TX)

It's been 8 years since I last wandered into a Firehouse Subs. This location is very large, though they exaggerated the "social distancing" to make it very uncomfortable to eat inside. Felt like a hospital. When I arrived, I just stood there at the order counter while the two workers argued about something regarding the cash register. Couldn't be bothered to welcome me or to state they needed a couple of minutes to iron out an issue (which I could have understood). After finally being able to order, I waited another 10 minutes for my "carefully crafted" sandwich. Yea right. Not a well run location, with absentee management. Typical of a chain unfortunately. The sandwich itself - after taking it home - was certainly very good, made to formula. Obviously I don't crave the place to begin with (8 years since...), but this location did nothing to encourage further visits. Not likely to come back anytime soon.

---original 9/27/08 review

Based on a tip from one of our three readers, I rolled over to Firehouse Subs the other day. Jacksonville, Florida based Firehouse Subs represents yet another niche in the overcrowded QSR sandwich segment. Let's take a look at the different type of subs out there: There's the good old fashioned cold deli sub, most known via Subway, but RJG readers know we favor Jersey Mike's and the Dallas area Great Outdoors. Then you have the conveyor belt hot subs pioneered by Austin based Schlotzsky's, copied by Alvin Ord's (The RJG fondly remembers this obscure chain from the 1980s - one that still exists in Weatherford - and I haven't been since 1991 which was at the old NW Dallas location), and altered to great success by the Denver based Quizno's. Now you have the assembly line created sub, from the enterprising Dallas franchise Which Wich. Then there's the order up, sit down deli's like Jason's and McAlister's. Another variation is the wrap, a concept that most around here know from another Jacksonville based chain Roly Poly (we tried the NRH location once and thought it to be awful - and it closed soon after). Still waiting on grinders to catch on here (there are couple of good chains in the Midwest).

Firehouse Subs is yet another category: The hot grilled sub. Their variation reminds me most of the Cincinnati chain Penn Station (which I had in St. Louis once) and the Columbus, OH based Charley's Grilled Subs (had once in the home city). Since we have neither of the latter two, Firehouse fills that hole in the DFW market. And for what they do, they do well. At least based on a couple of visits so far - which was the Italian sub. Good bread with quality meats and spices - and heated to the right temperature - thank you Goldie Locks. The chain was started by two firemen, who learned their craft in the kitchen of their local fire station. The theme is uplifting, and they go a long way to recognize fireman from around the nation for their daily brave activities. Another theme they brought forward was the novelty of placing out a number of known and obscure hot sauces. Another favorite activity of Mr. RJG is trying the different ones out there. Since I've only had the Italian, it didn't make sense for me to try the sauces, so I need to find the right sandwich to do that with. But the meatball parm looked good, and I think I'll try that next, so the hot sauce investigation will have to wait.

Interesting side note: I noticed on the menu that they trademarked "Italian". How do you trademark that? The RJG wonders if it's too late to trademark "Salt"...

Another commentary on the North Richland Hills location: The RJG loves the concept of the European loft/villa style of urban living. Mrs. RJG and I hope to live like that one day later in life. But it seems rather ridiculous to me to see this kind of housing in an otherwise very suburban setting. This is not an all encompassing village, but is rather served by a strip mall next door. There are no plans for a public rail line to pass through. You need a car to get anywhere. Other than the obvious aesthetic appeal, there's not much to distinguish these condos from any other local apartment. Downtown Ft. Worth or Dallas? Sure! Even in Grapevine where they're planning a rail terminus or near the Southlake Town Center - I could see it. But North Richland Hills, right off Hwy 26? I don't get it. Same with the Art House in Keller. BTW, Google Maps was struggling with the location for awhile. If looking for this location - it's on Hwy 26, SW of Precinct Line Rd. just west of a Krogers, McAlisters and Chipotle. Oh, and next to the new Chapps Cafe.

9/27/08 (new entry); 12/21/13; 3/13/21

Silver Pond Chinese ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado ***CLOSED***

Last visit: Mar 2021

First visit: Mar 2018

May 7, 2022 update: Perhaps no surprise, but Silver Pond is now closed.

As it turns out, Silver Pond was the first restaurant we went to on our return to Colorado Springs residency. Perhaps not technically, but on the day we flew in from Fort Worth, and spent the entire day looking at homes (and buying a new construction later in the day - are we crazy or what?), we were exhausted and ready to celebrate. You know Mrs. RJG, Asian food is going to be at the top of her want list. A quick online review suggested Silver Pond might be the place to go. 

This is our first visit back, almost exactly 3 years later. Nothing has changed as my memory would have it. It's a very nice setting, placed neatly behind some pine trees blocking the ever busy Academy Road. It's a roomy restaurant, and it appears they have a back room for special events, with a separate entrance. Once seated in the booth, we ordered our customary glasses of chardonnay (oh how we miss the BYOB days of NE Tarrant!), wonton soup, and an entrée. Service wasn't as crisp on this visit, so the soup arrived after the meal (not a big deal - but if affects the taste buds). The soup is exactly as we like it, simple beef broth with big pork filled wontons. Not too salty with an onion-y flavor. Mrs. RJG had the Sesame Chicken, which came out both slightly crunchy and not too syrupy - the latter a problem that typically plagues this dish. Very good - oh, and very hot temperature (which we always appreciate). I went for the "triple spicy", which is a bit of a misnomer. The triple in this case means protein - chicken, beef, and shrimp. I had it Kung Pao style (you also have a choice of Garlic, Hunan, or Szechuan). And we both ordered our dishes extra spicy. Mine delivered on that front, and the Kung Pao was excellent with plenty of peanuts, and the meats/fish were very good, especially the jumbo shrimp. Mrs. RJG helped me with the zucchini, while I had extra chicken from her plate. And the white rice was perfectly cooked.

The portions themselves are a bit on the small side - though the rice helps with that. Which is not something we normally complain about, but it is very pricy for a Chinese restaurant, all things considered. Very good food? Yes. Very good value? Not so much. Call it a splurge meal.

3/30/18; 3/7/21 (new entry); 5/7/22

Smiling Faces New Mexican ~ Las Vegas, New Mexico

First visit: Feb 2021

The original plan was to eat at Perea's, one of our favorite restaurants in Albuquerque. They don't open until 8 in the morning, and we didn't feel like hanging around for an hour (plus whatever wait that may have been in store for us), so we bolted for home, with a planned stop a couple of hours north in Las Vegas to have brunch. We arrived at the chosen breakfast location, only to find out they were closed on Sunday (despite what it said online). A quick scan of Google Maps lead us to another place - that was closed for good. Obviously Las Vegas, New Mexico's Google Maps can use an update! While figuring out where to eat, Mrs. RJG noticed Smiling Faces right next door to where we were. Sounding more like a dentist office than a restaurant, I did some prompt research, and the reviews were excellent. And it's New Mexican food - which is what we were seeking. Awesome! 

We walked into a very spacious restaurant and were promptly seated. Our waitress came by and took our order right away. We were both starving, so this was working out great. And we did get our chips promptly, which curbed the appetite a bit. The salsa was excellent BTW.

Then we waited...

Waited....

Waited...

Waited....

At least we got to know the environs better than normal - while our stomachs were growling. It's very much a New Mexico styled place with painted concrete, brick floors, and wooden beams. And very Christian. Not a place for atheists and pagans that's for sure. Fine with us being of the faithful, and refreshing to see a public restaurant wear Christianity on their sleeve like this. And we needed all of God's strength from going bananas awaiting for our food. Every time the squeaky swinging door had a waitress emerge, we anticipated it was ours, only to see them deliver to another table. We presume everyone who comes here expects this wait - or they were starving like us.

45 minutes later, our breakfast emerges. Hallelujah! Amen!

I ordered the Ultimate Breakfast burrito, loaded with eggs, bacon and smothered in Christmas. And the unusual twist of putting the hash browns inside the burrito. Once again, the green proved hotter on this visit (must be the season), and the red was delicious. See photo - it was as good as it looks. Mrs. RJG had the Huevos Rancheros also smothered in red/green and asked for rice, which was also excellent. 

Was it worth the wait? That's a tough one to answer. The food was delicious, but sometimes you just got to eat! Problem for us on judging, is that we've only been once, so it could have been they were shorthanded that morning. Keep in mind, the lockdown restrictions had just been lifted in New Mexico, whereas other states have been partially open for months, including Colorado. We're willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now. So if you happen to be in Las Vegas, New Mexico - give it a shot! Maybe bring a snack with you just in case....

3/3/21 (new entry)

Casa Taco ~ Albuquerque, New Mexico

Academy near San Mateo. They also have a location in Elephant Butte.

First visit: Feb 2021

Didn't get a chance to finish our impromptu trip back from Arizona. So after stuffing our faces at RelicRoad, we took the long - and somewhat boring - drive east towards Albuquerque on I-40. We arrived in the late afternoon, did a little bit of thrifting, and then it was dinner time. We didn't want anything too heavy, something along the lines of tacos y margaritas. We wanted to try a place called Craft Republic, but like our La Choza experience, we figured it was a long shot. And sure enough, with the very small capacities allowed by the Chancellor, we were looking at an hour wait. OK, we'll go next time. How about something less ambitious? Casa Taco came up on Google Maps, and we decided to try for it.

Casa Taco is a counter service place, that seems to cater to a more gringo oriented crowd. And their offerings go beyond typical taqueria fare. This is exactly what we were looking for. And the restaurant had some patrons, but there was still room for more. Perfect. They do have beer, but it's all bottled Mexican brews. We ordered water instead (same thing lol).

We ordered chips and salsa, and 4 tacos (ground beef, grilled chicken, and 2 carne asada's) and we each got rice and beans. A few minutes later, our food was delivered, and she asked if we wanted the hot or mild salsa. Of course we took the hot. The chips were excellent, light and crispy. The salsa did have some kick, and was very flavorful. The ground beef was nicely seasoned, and the pollo asado was excellent, grilled to perfection. The carne asada was not as expected. They call it marinated, but so much so, it seemed like beef stew. Not so much to our taste. Or we received the wrong item? We're just not sure. The rice was heavily seasoned, perfectly cooked, with an excellent flavor. Highlight of the meal. The beans were heavier than we prefer, and we didn't finish them. They also brought out a tomatillo taco sauce, which is of the avocado variety, which neither of us care for (though Mrs. RJG loves avocado's, but not like this). 

Would we go back? Definitely (want to try some other items on the menu), but it will have to be on a longer visit, as there's just too many other great places in front. Thumbs up from us all the same.

3/3/21 (new entry)

Arharn Thai ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Feb 2021

First visit: Feb 2020

As mentioned in the Thai Cafe (Prescott Valley) post, Thai food in Colorado Springs has been mostly a miss affair. But there are a couple we enjoy, including Arharn Thai. But not at the level of the aforementioned Thai Cafe, and certainly not what we left behind in NE Tarrant (Sea Siam, Sweet Basil, Magic Springroll, etc...). We keep hoping...

Arharn Thai is a small-ish restaurant, very clean, and feels a bit more upscale. Because of the pandemic, they moved to counter ordering. And they then deliver the food to your table. On our one visit in the midst of all this crap, during the summer of 2020, Arharn made us feel like lepers. We had to register our entire medical history (OK, not really... but they did take some data down), they only had one table, everything was served on plastic trays, and people eyed us warily as they picked up their to-go orders. I told Mrs. RJG right then that I wasn't going out to a sit down restaurant again until this was over. Well it's not over, but since January things seem more back to normal. So we're going out again, as noted in our 2021 kickoff post.

For Arharn Thai, they still take your phone number, but there's more seating available, and you get real utensils. They're not quite ready to "open up" as others have, but it's a much better experience. Alright, this is all early-2021 topical, so let's get on with more time tested reviews - the food.

The menu has a gringo approach to it, and as such, I mostly stuck with Thai fried rice, which they do very well. But on this visit, I happened to notice they have Larb Salad. That means they have ground chicken. Maybe they really can make my favorite Basil Chicken - Thai style. Sure enough they can. With a fried egg on top and Thai hot! They do a very good job at it too. Plenty of white rice (perfectly cooked) is offered, though the meal portion was a little light. Mild complaint. As for the heat level, it would be what I'd call a 4 out of 5, so definitely packed a punch, but I wanted to be slayed. Oh well, probably better for me I wasn't. Mrs RJG went for their Red Curry, her first time to try it here. She was quite pleased. For Mrs RJG, if we can just go back to Thai restaurants - ANY Thai restaurant - she'd be happy.

Oh, I almost forgot - appetizer. We ordered the shrimp blanket. It's weird. They basically roll fried egg noodles over a cooked shrimp. It's messy. Never seen anyone do this before, but it wasn't what we'd hoped for. We'll get something else next time.

No alcohol is served, which is a major bummer for us who associate white wine with Thai food. And unlike Texas, BYOB is not legal here. So water it is. Dinner was followed by a visit to one of our great local breweries. Can't keep us down too long it appears.

3/12/20; 7/31/20; 3/2/21 (new entry)